Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 1 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children aged between 10 and 17; 16 is the maximum age on admission. According to the home’s statement of purpose, it offers residential care with therapeutic emphasis and multi-agency involvement, to help children recover from experiences which have rendered them vulnerable and disrupted from their primary relationships.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 1 September 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 26 to 27 November 2019

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 13 November 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 29/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the child’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the staff receive appropriate training that equips them with the skills to promote the children’s welfare and meet the needs of each child. 29/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(ii)) 29/01/2020

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, ensure that staff receive supervision on a regular basis, in line with the organisation’s timescales, and that records are kept up to date, signed, and Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 4 dated by the supervisor and supervisee.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection the previous registered manager has retired, and a new group of children now live at the home. Although it is relatively early days, the new interim manager and the staff have made considerable efforts to help the children settle and flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For one child who previously lived in the home, the manager was proactive in making alternative plans with senior leaders when they were no longer able to meet the child’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager gives careful consideration to the needs of children living in the home when considering new admissions. The current group of children in the home are compatible and get on well with each other. Children reported that they like living in the home. They positively described their experience of living at the home as similar to living with a family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are regularly consulted about the day-to-day issues relating to the home. They are involved in planning their menus and choosing activities. Staff provide the children with encouragement and opportunities to voice their views and feelings. Consequently, the children can positively influence the world around them, and feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend a variety of educational provisions, some on a part-time basis. When children are not at school, the staff ensure that they are engaged in suitable structured activities. Staff work creatively to encourage and support the children to sustain, or regain, their confidence in education. The manager advocates well for the children, to ensure that others play their role, and champions the children’s speedy return to full- time education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work supportively with the children and their families to help promote and maintain their relationships. One parent commented on how welcomed she felt when visiting the home, and that she was always a offered a drink and that nothing seemedtoo much trouble. The open and inclusive culture at the home helps to remove stigma, and supports family relationships to develop, in accordance with the children’s wishes and plans.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children who go missing from the home experience a well-coordinated response from the staff. There is clear accountability for agreed actions, and staff look for the children when they are missing. Individualised assessments identify specific risks, including Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 5 sexual exploitation, and details of known contacts.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Direct work is undertaken with the children to build trusting relationships. Staff recognise that they need to engage children in relationships of trust if they are to be successful in enabling the children to explore and address risky behaviour, situations and relationships. For one child with a significant history of being missing, this approach has proved effective and resulted in a significant reduction of missing episodes.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand safeguarding and know their responsibilities to ensure that the children are safe. Multi-agency risk assessment plans identify the specific needs of the children. They include a written narrative that guides the staff responses and actions necessary to reduce the risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Regular team around the child meetings help the staff to develop insight into the emotional needs of the children. As well as a focus on the children, space is given for staff to reflect on their own triggers and feelings in the context of their caring role. As a result, the children’s emotional health and well-being needs are given significant priority and responded to well by the staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff develop positive relationships with the children as a means of ensuring that there is mutual respect and tolerance in the home. This leads to a relaxed atmosphere where the children feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings with the adults. This helps the children to develop and sustain secure attachments.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are generally effective at de-escalating tensions. They use physical intervention infrequently. However, some records were not signed by the manager within the required time frames. This lack of scrutiny undermines management oversight in considering proportionate and safe practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, the home’s team dynamics have significantly changed, and there has been a period of low staff morale. The new manager is visible and available to the staff and the children. Staff reported that the manager is having a positive impact on the home, and staff morale has improved. Staff spoke positively about the support that they now receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Not all staff have received regular supervision, and some records are not signed or recorded effectively. Induction records for some new staff were not available during the inspection. This shortfall has an impact on the manager’s ability to appraise practice and ensure consistent quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers have not ensured that the staff have kept up to date on all core training. There are gaps in the staff training relating to the specific needs of the children. The responsible individual and registered manager are aware of these shortfalls, and there are timely plans in place to address these concerns. Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 6 Leaders and the manager know the strengths, weaknesses and priority areas for improvement of the home. The interim management arrangements have been led by an experienced and competent manager. An action plan is in place to develop the service and to drive improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager and leaders promote an inclusive culture at the home. Staff provide opportunities for the children to celebrate and understand difference. This helps children to safely explore their identity and develop a positive self-view.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hampshire Council, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth II Court North, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG

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Inspector

Anne-Marie Davies, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1254782 8 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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